I had out-of-town company this last week. Sorry, but here is the next installment... let me know what you think...

I raced up the winding staircase, my sidearm drawn.

"Ferg?" I yelled

"In the master bedroom at the end of the hallway. " He yelled back.

I ran down what seemed like the world's longest hallway until I found the open doorway from where Ferg's voice rang.

He sat in the middle of the floor at the foot of Donna's big four-poster antique bed Surrounding him were a hundred or more photos.

I knelt down net to him to survey the situation. As I sat down , I caught a glance of one of the photos and drew my breath in.

A cursory glance around the pile of photos and other paperwork surrounding Ferg and me revealed various survailience photos of Walt and me taken with a long-range camera lens.

"What the FUCK is this?!" I exclaimed.

"I found these here when I came in the room," Ferg answered.

" You brought your fingerprint kit, right?" I asked Ferg.

"I'll go get it. It's in my car. "

"Thanks. I'll stay here. Shit— this woman is more fucked up than I'd thought."

Ferg rose and left. I head his feet clomping down the spiral staircase.

Remembering to put on a pair of latex gloves, I picked up a photo and examined it closely. It was one of me and Walt at Branch's funeral at the church in Durant. I'm resting my head on his shoulder while he stares straight ahead.

The one next to it showed Branch's grave, complete with a headstone. On the back was written Branch's birth and death dates, in flowing, feminine handwriting.

Another one showed Walt and me at The Red pony, conversing over beer. I'm looking straight at Walt and he's leaning in towards me. Th third photo I picked up showed Walt and me in the alley on that fateful day. I felt a twinge in my gut as I remembered the cruel verbal exchange that I had with the man I love. I hoped that my angry words would not be the last words I ever say to him.

"What the FUCK is all this? She has someone followin Walt? What the hell?"" I said again.

I turned around and picked up an old clipping from Durant's only daily newspaper

_Connolly Challenges Incumbant in Race For Sheriff_, the headline read, followed by head shots of both Walt and Branch. The tagline said _Millionaires Son to Challenge Walter Longmire_ The story went on to describe Branch's reason for challenging Walt in the election.

I put the clipping down and wiped the sweat off of my brow. Ferg came into the room , fingerprint kit in hand, and we got to work dusting all the photos and clippings.

" She's been collecting photos and clippings about Branch, the Sheriff and you, " Ferg said.

As we worked , I noticed that there were many photos of Branch and his Dad, taken at several public events such as campaign rallies, parades and press conferences. My heart went out to Walt, as I know all too well how a crazy stalker can fuck with one's life. Flashbacks of Gorski entered my minds eye as I shook the memories away and concentrated on the task at hand.

"Ferg, did Branch ever mention Donna's name to you?" I asked.

Ferg scrunched up his face in thought for a moment.

" No. Why do you ask?"

" He never mentioned her to me, either, yet she's got this collection of shit about him here in her bedroom"

Ferg nodded.

" CSI is gonna be busy processing all these prints." He said.

"Yeah. Come to think of it, maybe we better dust for prints on her furniture in here too, " I said.

Ferg nodded in agreement as we continued the tedious task of sorting and dusting through the pile on the floor.

"How much do you know about Dr Donna ?" Ferg asked me.

" Not a whole lot. Walt sorta cut me outta his life recently, and even when I asked him if he's seeing anyone, he denied it to my face."

"Yeah. I'm just wondering if this woman is who she told Walt she is. I mean , just look at all these photos of Branch. Can't be a coincidence, you know?" Ferg said.

"What do you mean?"

" I mean, I've lived here my entire life and never once met Branch's Mom. "

I dropped the photo I held and stared at Ferg.

" Never?"

" Nope. Always thought that was weird, but no one ever asked Branch about his mom, and honestly I can't remember him volunteering any information about who she is or where she lives. "

My eyes widened.

" Are you saying that Donna could be Branch's mother? Shit, that would explain a lot if its true" I said.

Ferg nodded.

"I'll do some digging at the county courthouse to see if I can get some records unsealed.

"Ok, and I'll go to the VA clinic with a warrant and search Donna's office. "